The efficiency of Raman amplification in the wavebreaking regime

Abstract

We compare previous analytic predictions, Vlasov-Maxwell simulations, and particle-in-cell results with a new set of comprehensive one and two dimensional particle-in-cell simulations in an effort to clarify apparent discrepancies between the predictions of different models for the efficiency of Raman amplification in the wavebreaking regime. We find reasonable agreement between our particle-in-cell simulations and previous results from Vlasov-Maxwell simulations and analytic work, suggesting a monotonic decrease in conversion efficiency for increased pump intensities past the wavebreaking threshold.